Menard 2021/2022 Season

[Gary Roberson]

A pretty three year old 10 point just ran a doe across my drive right by my dog kennels. Dark horns about 17" wide, weak 4ths, decent weight for a youngster. 10:30 AM.
Adios,
Gary

[bsills]

Originally Posted by Gary Roberson

A pretty three year old 10 point just ran a doe across my drive right by my dog kennels. Dark horns about 17" wide, weak 4ths, decent weight for a youngster. 10:30 AM.
Adios,
Gary

I saw almost an identical buck this morning for about 20 mins. He had short brows also but promising buck.

[Capp35]

Just came back from the lease and they seem to just be starting to chase.
Heat putting them off?

[capt1brooks]

I got back from our place. They are chasing for sure. Opening weekend we saw two bucks chasing a doe down 190 into Brady mid day. Saw buck chasing down 1311 last night and this morning. We saw a lot of deer just no shooters.

[JakefromstateTX]

https://youtu.be/XrLM7crRMf8

I'm a little late to share, but here is a video of our early season success.
My fiancé will be holding the ranch record for a little while...

[sboudreaux]

Originally Posted by JakefromstateTX

https://youtu.be/XrLM7crRMf8

I'm a little late to share, but here is a video of our early season success.
My fiancé will be holding the ranch record for a little while...

Wow what a stud, congrats!

[Pstraw]

Congratulations to your fiance!

[Gary Roberson]

Congratulations on a great buck! I am not familiar with the La Roca Ranch.
Adios,
Gary

[Heath]

The wife shot a buck last night. It’s been a very strange year for us. We barely have any mature deer on camera or seen on stand compared to last year. This is actually the first deer off of our lease this year.

[jjaimes]

Originally Posted by Heath

The wife shot a buck last night. It’s been a very strange year for us. We barely have any mature deer on camera or seen on stand compared to last year. This is actually the first deer off of our lease this year.

Congrats! Do you or anyone else here think the freeze had something to do with it?

[Randy M]

Originally Posted by Heath

The wife shot a buck last night. It’s been a very strange year for us. We barely have any mature deer on camera or seen on stand compared to last year. This is actually the first deer off of our lease this year.

Nice and congrats!

[Pstraw]

Congratulations to your wife! And have a Merry Christmas.

[Heath]

Originally Posted by jjaimes

Congrats! Do you or anyone else here think the freeze had something to do with it?

Thanks guys!

We feed corn year round. We do have a ton of turkeys (we saw a group of 100 this morning, no kidding). Pigs are very heavy as well. We didn’t find any dead deer after the freeze. Just seems weird cause we don’t shoot very many deer on this place (3-6 a year on 1700 acres).

[Chad C]

Originally Posted by Heath

The wife shot a buck last night. It’s been a very strange year for us. We barely have any mature deer on camera or seen on stand compared to last year. This is actually the first deer off of our lease this year.

Heck yea! Congrats guys! Merry Christmas!


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[jhubbz]

Originally Posted by Heath

The wife shot a buck last night. It’s been a very strange year for us. We barely have any mature deer on camera or seen on stand compared to last year. This is actually the first deer off of our lease this year.

Good going!

It’s been a strange year for us, too. However, we found out that the neighboring property has been allowing helicopters to come hunt pigs during deer season! My dad didn’t see a single deer at his stand last weekend which is very unusual.


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[Capp35]

Not a big "Full Sneak" mount person, but just got this back.
I'm really digging it, my son got it last year at our place in Menard.

[Pstraw]

That's a nice looking mount. Big deer too.

[SV72]

Originally Posted by Capp35

Not a big "Full Sneak" mount person, but just got this back.
I'm really digging it, my son got it last year at our place in Menard.

I really like that. That deer has some cool personality 😁
Congratulations to your son.

[Capp35]

Thanks guys.

[capt1brooks]

Just got back from our place. It was super slow. And like everyone has said this year has been weird. I’m hoping this weekend will be good with the cold front. I got a new lease or ranch owner behind me now. Anyone know of or hear of “Royal D” ?

[Gary Roberson]

Originally Posted by Heath

Thanks guys!

We feed corn year round. We do have a ton of turkeys (we saw a group of 100 this morning, no kidding). Pigs are very heavy as well. We didn’t find any dead deer after the freeze. Just seems weird cause we don’t shoot very many deer on this place (3-6 a year on 1700 acres).

Heath,
I am seeing quite a few mature bucks just a couple of miles north of you along FM road. Seems there is a pretty good concentration of them from the Texas A&M Ranch (Carl Martin) and north to the Las Moras Creek crossing. The hunters south of town near the county line NE of you have killed a couple of mature bucks with decent antlers but they have not seen the bigger bucks that they were seeing in late summer.
I saw a really good one the weekend before Christmas west of Menard about 10 miles. He was in the highway ROW and I sure hope he doesn't step out in front of a truck. Another buddy saw the same buck at the same location and thinks he might score 160+. I didn't get a great look as the grass is really tall and I was driving to hunt on a ranch further west.
Good luck, if the weather changes, may help.
Adios,
Gary

[Gary Roberson]

Years ago, I was visiting with Bill Russ, retired biologist from Sanderson. He gave me the best advice to improve antler growth across the Edwards Plateau and much of the Trans-Pecos. He said to keep out a mineral that is high in Phosphorus as this country is deficient in Ph. As you know, it takes Calcium and Ph to grow bones and antlers and while this country is loaded with Ca, you need to increase Ph consumption.
I fed Hi Pro 12-12 blocks which are guaranteed to have 12% Ph. One block will last several months as they are hard and deer don't need to consume large volumes. Increasing the Ph intake seems to increase mass on the antlers more than any other quality. Fawns also seemed to be a little stronger and healthier.
Adios,
Gary

[capt1brooks]

Great info Gray!! I’ll have to try one of those blocks. I was thinking of doing a cotton seed feeder after hunting season.

[hoythunter02]

Originally Posted by Gary Roberson

Years ago, I was visiting with Bill Russ, retired biologist from Sanderson. He gave me the best advice to improve antler growth across the Edwards Plateau and much of the Trans-Pecos. He said to keep out a mineral that is high in Phosphorus as this country is deficient in Ph. As you know, it takes Calcium and Ph to grow bones and antlers and while this country is loaded with Ca, you need to increase Ph consumption.
I fed Hi Pro 12-12 blocks which are guaranteed to have 12% Ph. One block will last several months as they are hard and deer don't need to consume large volumes. Increasing the Ph intake seems to increase mass on the antlers more than any other quality. Fawns also seemed to be a little stronger and healthier.
Adios,
Gary

I’ll do the same on our place in Comstock, thank you!


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[Gary Roberson]

Originally Posted by capt1brooks

Great info Gray!! I’ll have to try one of those blocks. I was thinking of doing a cotton seed feeder after hunting season.

Cottonseed is a great source of protein and hogs and coons won't eat it so is another plus. Years ago, it was also inexpensive but high demand has taken care of that.
Before I start feeding protein, I attempt to get rid of any animals that I don't want to see next year. Feeding is an expensive practice so no need to feed animals that you don't want.
Yes, the high Ph mineral is a "No Brainer" and pretty inexpensive way to see an improvement in antler quality. If it doesn't rain this late winter and spring, it may be a tough year for antlers.
We still have not figured out how to open a sack of feed and put maturity on them.
Adios,
Gary

[Heath]

My buddy shot a very old buck last night. We didn’t have this deer on camera or he hadn’t been seen in person. His daughter shot her first animal on the same hunt. Such an awesome hunt.




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[Gary Roberson]

Congratulations to the hunters! Hope everyone has a great hunt this weekend. Looks like the weather is going to change on New Year's Day!
Adios,
gary

[Hoytbowhunter]

Originally Posted by Heath

My buddy shot a very old buck last night. We didn’t have this deer on camera or he hadn’t been seen in person. His daughter shot her first animal on the same hunt. Such an awesome hunt.




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Congrats, great memories.

[SV72]

Curious to know what most of you believe to be the best weekend for shed hunting? We don’t seem to find very many, so looking for some advice on the timing?

[Capp35]

Originally Posted by SV72

Curious to know what most of you believe to be the best weekend for shed hunting? We don’t seem to find very many, so looking for some advice on the timing?

Not sure on exact time.
But I have the best luck looking in their bedding areas.

[WhiplashTX]

Originally Posted by SV72

Curious to know what most of you believe to be the best weekend for shed hunting? We don’t seem to find very many, so looking for some advice on the timing?

Now is a little early, spring turkey is too late because the grass is growing. I usually try in early March when I am topping off the feeders for turkey season.

I find the most close to fence lines as the impact of landing will help knock them loose. Around water, major trails, foods sources, and bedding areas are also good places to look. The problem is they can be anywhere and with the deer density your not going to find a pile of antlers.

[wilcox1088]

Got this this morning. Think the deer shed night before last

[Randy M]

I was at my lease this weekend. Saw several with antlers, and several that had already shed. And I found a nice left side of an 8.

[SV72]

One of our guys found several sets near a fence line today. I normally look in March as well, but not a bad haul for February.

[Randy M]

Bringing this back to the top. I'll be at my lease this weekend, chasing turkeys and pigs. Anyone else going?

[Heath]

Originally Posted by Randy M

Bringing this back to the top. I'll be at my lease this weekend, chasing turkeys and pigs. Anyone else going?

I will be out there with my wife trying to get her first Gobbler.

[Lee230]

Good luck Heath and to everyone going out this weekend. Watch for the rattlebugs!! Will be a while before I get out there.

[Els16]

Yes, I’ll be chasing the gobblers. Have a lone aoudad on camera too. I need to shoot some pigs. Keep jumping them driving around checking on stuff. It’s very very very very dry right now….we need a lot of rain soon. Let me know if y’all need any help.

[SHSU18]

Good luck this morning chasing Thunder chickens everyone. Hoping to get on the board near Brady.

[Stonecold69]

We will be out there week of the 12th!

[Gary Roberson]

Gobblers and hens are still segregated west of Menard. Very little gobbling. The dry conditions can be blamed for this. The hens need a certain amount of keratin in their diets in order to get them cycling and we sure don't have anything green.
Adios,
Gary

[Heath]

We heard very little gobbling on Saturday and nothing this morning. The wife popped a pig and found her first shed. We saw plenty of deer, turkey, and pigs. It was very quiet, but a good time.

[Heath]

I have Karla’s buck from this year hung as well.






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[DK1555]

Anybody know if Jacobys Feed in Brady by the railroad tracks is still open and selling protein? Headed up tomorrow and forgot to call. Thanks!!


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[bsills]

Was lucky and the boys doubled up on Saturday



morning.

[Lee230]

Good shooting Boys!!! Congrats to you and your sons Amigo!

[DK1555]

Any rain in Menard? Inter webs says we got 2/10ths in Menard, hoping we got more.


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[Lee230]

BGleaton's weather station on the far eastern side of the county checked in at .48 today, not much, but moisture.

[Gary Roberson]

About .4" 8-10 miles west of Menard, .2-.3" around Menard and about a half in southern part of the county. Spitting a little this morning.
Adios,
Gary

[Randy M]

Outstanding morning! After sitting in one of my blinds early this morning and seeing nothing, I got out and went for a hike. Saw 3 gobblers about 300 yards out from me and began my stalk. Light rain and steady winds helped me get to about 25 yards of them before knocking this one down with one shot from my FA 97/41 magnum.




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